vegetables Archives - Simply Happenstance

Watermelon Salsa

June 30, 2015

Watermelon Salsa //

There’s nothing better than a quick and simple homemade salsa! The flavors are robust and so fresh with a medley of vegetables, cilantro, and…. WATERMELON (the secret ingredient that has made this my new summertime favorite)!

This Watermelon Salsa is delicious served as an appetizer with some salty tortilla chips … or it can be used as a fresh topping on poultry or fish. (I even love eating it completely plain — straight out of the bowl with a spoon!) You can even add a heaping spoonful into the center of a sliced avocado and eat it for lunch. (YUM!)

The salsa will remind you of your favorite pico de gallo, only better! The sweet bites of watermelon… combined with chopped bell peppers, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro balance the amazing flavors present in the dish!

Not only is it clean and healthy… it’s pretty to look at, too! Don’t you think?

This Watermelon Salsa would taste fabulous with roasted corn, black beans, chunks of fresh avocado, or sliced cherry tomatoes thrown in the mix. (I love a recipe that’s easy to customize according to what you have on hand!) It’s the perfect appetizer to bring to an upcoming Fourth of July Party or summertime soiree! Enjoy, friends!

Print Recipe

Watermelon Salsa

This tasty Watermelon Salsa is filled with healthy, fresh ingredients! It's a simple Fourth of July appetizer or summer potluck dish!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 8 -12

Author: Simply Happenstance adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

1/2 whole Small Seedless Watermelon Diced
1/2 whole Red Onion Diced
1 whole Red Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
1 whole Green Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper Seeded and Diced
2 whole Jalapeños Seeded and Diced
1 whole Bunch Fresh Cilantro Chopped
1-2 whole Limes Juiced
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions

Combine all prepared ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Give it a good stir and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Keeps for one day, so get those chips ready!
*Optional ingredients // sliced avocado, sliced cherry tomatoes, black beans, and/or roasted corn.

Notes

Serve fresh salsa with tortilla chips for an appetizer, or scoop into one half of an avocado and eat for lunch! Also delicious as a topping for poultry and fish.

Original recipe from The Pioneer Woman // https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/06/watermelon-pico-de-gallo/

Cucumber Mint Green Juice

March 17, 2015

First off, HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY, friends! To be completely honest, I was posting this green juice today — without thought of the holiday! How perfectly fitting! (I love when that happens!) Now on to the recipe!

Cucumber Mint Green Juice //

A few months ago, I bought my first juicer (after watching the fabulous documentary… Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead). I did my online research, as I wanted a juicer that got the job done well, without a huge mess to clean up afterwards. I also didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on my first one (in case my new found obsession became short lived). I ended up purchasing the Breville Compact Juice Fountain, after reading some excellent reviews. (For sure do some price comparison shopping because I found a site that offered 10% off your first purchase + free shipping, so I only spent around $85! I think I got a huge bargain!) I am happy to report that I’ve been using my juicer a few times per week ever since it arrived!

I put a lot of consideration into whether or not I should post a ‘juicing’ recipe on here, as I understand owning a juicer is somewhat of a luxury. For those of you that already own one… this is a delicious green juice recipe to add to your mix. For those of you that are considering a juicer… I say GO FOR IT! (It is such an excellent way to add fruits and vegetables into your diet!) For those of you wondering why you may want to juice, check out this lovely post on the site, Simple Green Smoothies, for information on the difference between juicing and blending. What I personally love most about juicing, is the instant boost of energy I feel after drinking a glass! It really helps in the afternoon when I am in the mid-day slump (which for me, is around 3 p.m. when the kids come home from school). [Read more…]

Classic Tuscan Soup

January 21, 2015

Classic Tuscan Soup //

It’s winter… but I live in Southern California, so it’s not reallllllly winter! I surely can’t relate to those of you shoveling snow and bundling up in your cozy cold-weather gear. Where I live, we’ve had a few days of cooler weather, some rain, and even one day of random snow {can you believe it?}… but for the most part, we’ve had many days in the 70’s. {I’m not complaining, I assure you!}

Despite the warmer weather we’ve had this past week, I do still crave cups of soul-warming food and steaming hot beverages! This Classic Tuscan Soup completely takes care of those seasonal cravings. It’s filled with earthy, satisfying vegetables and hearty white beans. It’s a healthier soup, so for those of you eating clean… this one’s for you! [Read more…]

Chicken Sausage Veggie Bowl

September 2, 2014

:: Chicken Sausage Veggie Bowl ::

If you happen to follow Simply Happenstance on Instagram… you may have already seen pictures of my favorite lunch! I’ve showed a couple variations, but haven’t actually shared the recipe on our blog. I thought it was about time to do so!

A few months ago, I embarked on the Whole30. Basically, it’s an eating plan where you eat primarily lean meats, veggies, fruit, some nuts, and healthy fats. {Are you wondering why I would do such a thing? Ha! To torture myself, of course! No… I’m only kidding! If you have questions about it, just leave a comment below and I’ll gladly get back to you!}

While on that particular eating plan, I had to get rather creative for my meals {since typical lunches like sandwiches were out due to the bread, condiments, etc.}. I spent the first couple of weeks eating salads, but found that I needed to add more protein to stay satisfied without snacking. I then came up with this tasty meal! {Although, the Sweet Apple Trader Joe’s sausage I used for this particular recipe is not Whole30 approved… I actually ate the Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage.} [Read more…]

Summer Pasta Salad

July 22, 2014

:: Summer Pasta Salad ::

Do you find, in the summer, that you cook less or look for easier recipes? I certainly do! Our days have been filled with outings, lots of outside time playing, and for us… packing up our mountain home in preparation for our upcoming move {not so fun!}.

During the school year, I’m fairly good at sticking to a routine of eating dinner at a reasonable time so that I can get the kids in bed around 8 p.m. In the summertime, that’s not the case! Usually, I’m throwing dinner together on a whim… with little time to spare! This recipe for a chilled Summer Pasta Salad is perfect for nights like that! [Read more…]

Healthy Quinoa Salad

February 27, 2014

:: Healthy Quinoa Salad ::

I’m sure by now, most of you have tried quinoa {pronounced KEEN-wah}. This superfood {which was discovered by the Incas, three to four thousand years ago} is one of my personal favorites! Although it is usually thought of as a whole grain, it is actually a seed. It takes less time to cook than whole grains, and tastes amazing on its own! It is a wheat-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free food, making it the perfect side dish or main course for vegetarians, vegans, and others with special dietary concerns. Here are some interesting healthy facts about quinoa:

It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids.
It contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. It also lowers cholesterol and glucose levels.
Quinoa contains lysine, which is essential to tissue growth and repair.
It is rich in magnesium, which helps to relax blood vessels and alleviate migraines. Additionally magnesium helps detoxify the body, provides energy, and helps with the formation of healthy bones and teeth.
The gluten-free super seed is a good source of riboflavin {B2}, which is known to improve energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells.
Quinoa is rich in manganese {an antioxidant}. Manganese helps prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production and protects red blood cells from injury by free radicals. [Read more…]